Originally Posted by shuziburo
I guess you are saying that we need a poor man's Mahatir Mohammad. That is not a bad wish and might even happen one day. But, for today, I would like to focus on practical, feasible ideas. Something we can do, irrespective of who is in power or what the situation is. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. I want each of us to take one step. At least.

As I already said, I am unwilling to take no for an answer. Let us come up with some doable ideas and implement them. Don't worry. They don't have to be big.

What ATMR's describing is a poor man's Mao Zedong. Raise an army, defeat the warlords, unite the country and rule with an iron fist. There may be mistakes (great leap forward, etc), there might be foreign external pressure and posterity may paint him as a monster but he would have left the country in a more stable condition, ripe for 'opening up' economically - as Deng Xiaoping started to do after Mao - and maybe the advent of democracy.

Shuziburo bhai/uncle, you've asked for suggestions which can make small, realistic changes. As a law student, the first ideas that come to mind relate to an overhaul of the legal system. It can begin with relatively small improvements - better law reporting, encouraging more in-depth legal research in the country and establishing quality legal academic journals. In the US and UK, Law Reviews have a profound impact on the teaching of law and, in some exceptional cases, on actual judgments and judicial deliberations as well. It can also act as a forum for discussion and debate on contentious legal topics, which will eventually spill over into the public domain and catch the attention of law makers. (Of course, for the latter to happen, our government and opposition law-makers would have to spend more time legislating rather than boycotting or going on interminable recesses....)

High quality legal scholarship and debate helps keep the law current and dynamic and addresses some of its lacunae. Just look at how Roe v Wade is constantly discussed in the US, despite the number of years that have elapsed since that judgment was handed down. In the UK, the same is happening with the Human Rights Act 1998. But how many in Bangladesh discuss how outdated our Penal Codes and our laws of evidence are?

Such improvements are essential for our progress. Unfortunately most of our Advocates and Barristers become embroiled in politics.

Originally Posted by AsifTheManRahman
Corruption is etched into the mind of the citizen during childhood. Thanks to poverty, survival instincts at the expense of others are encouraged and kick in early on in an individual's lifetime. The result - a culture of deception, ill mannerisms and impatience. The problems are probably deeper rooted than the current political leadership. Ironically, I believe a major overhaul of the political situation is the only way out.

The people are to blame. A nation can only become what its people will let it become. The people are corrupted bigots who are undeserving of democracy. In fact I doubt the people know what's best for them.

Very well said.

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Communism could be a good option for a couple of decades, with an even distribution of income and a hard working population contributing to a better future. But even if we do find an honest government, it will lead to a public uproar due to a lack of understanding of what's best for the nation in the long run. The government will then have to respond with a blood bath.

What we really need, therefore, is for one power hungry, patriotic individual to rise from the heaps of despair, say enough is enough, form an army, raid the homes of political powerhouses and take prisoners, then rule the nation with an iron fist. We need this honest, no-nonsense dictator to *whip* the bull crap out of the citizens and to drive them to a better economy and a better society in general.

Of course, when (s)he begins to treat the nation as her/his property in thirty years, we should assassinate her/him and form a democratic government. But by then, we will have better employment, better roads and transportation, food and better health care for everyone, booming industries, greater international trade, a far superior literacy rate and finally be ready for democracy.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Blackberry)

What we really need is ... strictly stay out of those ideas. Good or bad, one iron fist never works since mass are not involved in building, support and protect any system. It is impossible for one [or few] good/perfect to look after each and every issue, corner of the country, which eventually lead that person surrounded by crooks in a short time. In that sense, the iron fist has to be made of mass people, has to be burned and shaped for years, over and over again, until it become a system no matter who is in charge. More it takes time, more long the people have to straggle, till then its a long uphill task for people, only if they really are up for it. Korea, Malaysia didnt shine because of one iron fist, rather their people were well aware of their need and betterment, and they really were up for it for years too.

This thread is one of the most valuable and genuine heart-felt conversation, exchange of ideas for a better Bangladesh, threads ever ...Very very rich and valuable infos and ideas here for the poor and unfortunate evg. poor folks, the mass majority iof Bangladesh! I salaam dear Shuja bhai for this wonderful fantastic thread and all the bros and apus who plugged their input here.

Originally Posted by shuziburo
Clearly, we are not where we could have been. Countries like Malaysia and South Korea were in similar positions in 1971, but they have since become industrial giants. A want to ask everyone two questions:

What can we do ideally over the next 5/10 years, to take Bangladesh forward?

What steps practically can be undertaken over the next 5/10 years, given the current situation/environment?

Ideas?

Shuzida it's lovely thread and initiative. Before one must his country forward, imo, he should at least do something for himself. You are the badge, you are the symbol, you are a Bangladeshi. If you improve yourself, rest will take care. What do I mean by that?

Everyday I drive on Interstate Fwy in US, I cannot help but thank God, for the lovely opportunity. Why? Because I could very easily have been a poor tokai in Dhaka. The tag Bangladesh is not a stigma, but honor and pride for me. It's a badge of honor. I feel blessed that from the poorest country in the world I am somehow literally elevated on ramp.

But that is not enough. I then think, I must be the best at whatever field I do. Then the rest would take care of itself. Since Bangladesh is a brand for me, if I say, author a good book, it would forever be prefaced as: Bangladeshi-born so and so...

That was the idea behind that thread, which many may have taken askance. So yes, one should ALWAYS do something for his country, but as in my opinion, easiest way to do so would be to taking care of himself. And the rest shall follow suit..

On this Independence day, whether you are an expat or a resident, wear the national badge-tag like pride. Represent it. Cultivate yourself. And lead your nation in pride in pursuit of excellence and being one.

There are many brilliant students in poor families. I would like to find a few of them and sponsor them (myself and with the help of others) through university. My only expectation out of this will be that they will promise to be good.

Originally Posted by shuziburo
There are many brilliant students in poor families. I would like to find a few of them and sponsor them (myself and with the help of others) through university. My only expectation out of this will be that they will promise to be good.

I was involved and sponsored couple of students before. I know some ppl in that organization (from the birth of the organization) personally. I am not heavily involved though. I guess Dr. Z boss may know about this organization already.

As for the idea, I would strongly advocate for the betterment of education system in Bangladesh.

Wondering if BanglaCricket can create a sister non-profit organization that can take up different projects.

Originally Posted by shuziburo
There are many brilliant students in poor families. I would like to find a few of them and sponsor them (myself and with the help of others) through university. My only expectation out of this will be that they will promise to be good.

i am a pretty decent student, not so brilliant but a good student nonetheless, and am from a poor family. you can sponsor me and help me out. i will send in all ky details if u are serious.Posted via BC Mobile Edition (1)

I sponsor a couple of students through Distressed Children & Infant International that does an excellent grassroots job in Bangladesh. However, I am thinking also in line of taking someone through at least their undergraduate degree. We need to educate ethical, capable people for a better future.

I do not know whether we are set to do something ourselves at BC. But, it is an idea worth exploring, at least for the long term.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahsan
See if you would be interested to join on this effort here,

I was involved and sponsored couple of students before. I know some ppl in that organization (from the birth of the organization) personally. I am not heavily involved though. I guess Dr. Z boss may know about this organization already.

As for the idea, I would strongly advocate for the betterment of education system in Bangladesh.

Wondering if BanglaCricket can create a sister non-profit organization that can take up different projects.

Originally Posted by iDumb
i am a pretty decent student, not so brilliant but a good student nonetheless, and am from a poor family. you can sponsor me and help me out. i will send in all ky details if u are serious.Posted via BC Mobile Edition (1)

I have been thinking about students in Bangladesh. Why don't you PM me more details and I'll see whether I can come up with some ideas that might be useful to you.

I hope you don't mind me resurrecting your old thread. One thing I have noticed in my annual Dhaka trips is the proliferation of private tutors and coaching centers. Now, by itself, this is not necessarily a bad thing -- I too, earned some spare cash as a private tutor when I was in school.

What concerns me though, are reports that I hear of teachers in public and private schools intentionally doing a terrible job of teaching the syllabus in schools, and expecting students to come to them for private coaching in order to do well in SSCs or O- and A-levels. If this is indeed true (BC members in Bangladesh, do feel free to confirm or deny), perhaps we should see if we can put pressure on our Education Ministry to try to curb such practices.

^^ This is absolutely true. Almost all the teachers I had during O Levels tutored on the side to supplement their income. It wasn't only the case that some taught better during their afternoon/evening coaching sessions, they also provided many invaluable past papers. It's detrimental to the quality of the school system and ratchets up the price of education considerably.

In any case, I'm of the opinion that a student should only be tutored if they genuinely struggle with a subject. I used to struggle with Maths and my tutor, a DU grad student, helped me overcome them. And even if tutoring is required, only those who don't have a stake-hold in our education system should be allowed to tutor. By that I mean, A level students, Uni students, maybe even private coaching centers.

Wow, corruption even in the education system? Bangladesh seriously has no hope. If ever there was a country that deserves the crap they love to bathe in, its Bangladesh. Sad as hell, but glad my parents bolted while they could.

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
Wow, corruption even in the education system? Bangladesh seriously has no hope. If ever there was a country that deserves the crap they love to bathe in, its Bangladesh. Sad as hell, but glad my parents bolted while they could.

I disagree, alF. Given that the country is only 40 years old, had its intelligentsia essentially exterminated at birth, has been prone to natural disasters, and had its initial source of foreign exchange (jute) made effectively worthless early on in its life, we haven't done poorly. Why don't you take a look at what life was like for American citizens (and I'm not even talking about slaves, simply white folk who weren't part of the land-owning gentry) when the United States was 40 before being so dismissive about Bangladeshis?

Yes, there is corruption. We're a third world resource-poor (at first sight) nation, ruled generally by politicians who are more interested in lining their pockets than trying to improve the lot of their countrymen, and that sort of behaviour does trickle down. Despite all that, the hartals, and the lack of any significant efforts by our successive administrations, our private sector has prospered, our GDP has increased, the rate of our population growth has slowed, our literacy rate has climbed, our women have become more empowered, and our middle class has grown. It's not anywhere close to perfect, but there's definitely room for optimism.

Originally Posted by shaad
I disagree, alF. Given that the country is only 40 years old, had its intelligentsia essentially exterminated at birth, has been prone to natural disasters, and had its initial source of foreign exchange (jute) made effectively worthless early on in its life, we haven't done poorly. Why don't you take a look at what life was like for American citizens (and I'm not even talking about slaves, simply white folk who weren't part of the land-owning gentry) when the United States was 40 before being so dismissive about Bangladeshis?

Yes, there is corruption. We're a third world resource-poor (at first sight) nation, ruled generally by politicians who are more interested in lining their pockets than trying to improve the lot of their countrymen, and that sort of behaviour does trickle down. Despite all that, the hartals, and the lack of any significant efforts by our successive administrations, our private sector has prospered, our GDP has increased, the rate of our population growth has slowed, our literacy rate has climbed, our women have become more empowered, and our middle class has grown. It's not anywhere close to perfect, but there's definitely room for optimism.